Ireland Set for General Election as Parliament Dissolved

The upcoming November 29 election follows the dissolution of a historic coalition government, with key issues like housing and childcare in the spotlight.

Irish President Michael Higgins dissolved Parliament, initiating a three-week campaign leading up to the November 29 election.
Prime Minister Simon Harris of Fine Gael emphasized the need for a new mandate, highlighting the coalition's achievements in managing crises like COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald aims to lead the government, focusing on housing and childcare, while not ruling out potential coalitions with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail.
The coalition government, formed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, and the Green Party, ended after a four-and-a-half-year term marked by global and domestic challenges.
Key election issues include Ireland's housing crisis, immigration, and economic challenges, with Sinn Fein seeking to capitalize on public discontent with the current administration.